5-The Future of Work, Part 1
Wed Feb 04 2026
🎙️ The Future of Work: Part 1
Become The Leader Podcast
The workforce is changing faster than most leaders are prepared for. In The Future of Work: Part 1, hosts Jody Holland, Maleah Grigsby, Meghan Slaughter, and Mike Grigsby explore the realities shaping today’s workplace—and what those changes demand from leaders moving forward.
Drawing insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report and Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace, this episode examines the tension between job growth and job displacement, generational shifts in expectations, rising burnout among managers, and the growing importance of adaptability, curiosity, and leadership clarity.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The Workforce Paradox
Millions of new jobs are being created—yet millions more are disappearing. The challenge isn’t job availability; it’s whether people have the skills and resilience to adapt.
Why Stability Now Comes from Movement
Long-term security is no longer tied to a role or title. It comes from learning how to move, reskill, and think differently in a constantly shifting environment.
Generational Shifts in Work and Purpose
Younger generations are redefining work, prioritizing psychological safety, purpose, and respect over traditional loyalty. Leaders must understand the difference between a “job” and the value someone brings through their “work.”
The Productivity and Burnout Crisis
Billions are lost to disengagement, while managers face record levels of burnout—largely because most were never trained to lead people effectively.
Why the 40-Hour Workweek Is Fading
Knowledge work demands a shift from hours worked to outcomes achieved. Autonomy and trust are becoming essential tools for engagement.
Reskilling as a Leadership Imperative
With nearly 40% of today’s skills becoming obsolete within five years, continuous learning and adaptability are no longer optional.
Curiosity in the Age of AI
As AI makes answers abundant, the most valuable human skill becomes the ability to ask better questions. Leadership is moving from control to curiosity.
Where AI Will Disrupt First
The greatest immediate impact of AI may not be domestic roles, but outsourced and transactional work that can be automated at scale.
Key Takeaways
The future of work is a leadership challenge, not just a technology challenge
Engagement rises when leaders focus on clarity, trust, and outcomes
Adaptability, curiosity, and human-centered skills are the new competitive advantage
Organizations that ignore generational values will struggle to retain talent
Resources Mentioned
Reports:
World Economic Forum - Future of Jobs Report (Link to 2023 Report)
Gallup - State of the Global Workplace Report (Link to 2024 Report)
Books:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
The Seven-Day Weekend: Changing the Way Work Works by Ricardo Semler
Tools/Platforms:
Eleven Labs: A voice AI platform mentioned for its ability to translate and clone voices in multiple languages.
Coming Next: The Future of Work: Part 2, where the conversation turns directly to AI through a leadership lens—and what today’s leaders must do now to stay relevant.
Become The Leader You Would Follow.
More
🎙️ The Future of Work: Part 1 Become The Leader Podcast The workforce is changing faster than most leaders are prepared for. In The Future of Work: Part 1, hosts Jody Holland, Maleah Grigsby, Meghan Slaughter, and Mike Grigsby explore the realities shaping today’s workplace—and what those changes demand from leaders moving forward. Drawing insights from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report and Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace, this episode examines the tension between job growth and job displacement, generational shifts in expectations, rising burnout among managers, and the growing importance of adaptability, curiosity, and leadership clarity. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The Workforce Paradox Millions of new jobs are being created—yet millions more are disappearing. The challenge isn’t job availability; it’s whether people have the skills and resilience to adapt. Why Stability Now Comes from Movement Long-term security is no longer tied to a role or title. It comes from learning how to move, reskill, and think differently in a constantly shifting environment. Generational Shifts in Work and Purpose Younger generations are redefining work, prioritizing psychological safety, purpose, and respect over traditional loyalty. Leaders must understand the difference between a “job” and the value someone brings through their “work.” The Productivity and Burnout Crisis Billions are lost to disengagement, while managers face record levels of burnout—largely because most were never trained to lead people effectively. Why the 40-Hour Workweek Is Fading Knowledge work demands a shift from hours worked to outcomes achieved. Autonomy and trust are becoming essential tools for engagement. Reskilling as a Leadership Imperative With nearly 40% of today’s skills becoming obsolete within five years, continuous learning and adaptability are no longer optional. Curiosity in the Age of AI As AI makes answers abundant, the most valuable human skill becomes the ability to ask better questions. Leadership is moving from control to curiosity. Where AI Will Disrupt First The greatest immediate impact of AI may not be domestic roles, but outsourced and transactional work that can be automated at scale. Key Takeaways The future of work is a leadership challenge, not just a technology challenge Engagement rises when leaders focus on clarity, trust, and outcomes Adaptability, curiosity, and human-centered skills are the new competitive advantage Organizations that ignore generational values will struggle to retain talent Resources Mentioned Reports: World Economic Forum - Future of Jobs Report (Link to 2023 Report) Gallup - State of the Global Workplace Report (Link to 2024 Report) Books: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams The Seven-Day Weekend: Changing the Way Work Works by Ricardo Semler Tools/Platforms: Eleven Labs: A voice AI platform mentioned for its ability to translate and clone voices in multiple languages. Coming Next: The Future of Work: Part 2, where the conversation turns directly to AI through a leadership lens—and what today’s leaders must do now to stay relevant. Become The Leader You Would Follow.